We Made a Difference. We Made it Together. WEMADEIT.

weTHINK

You asked, we answered. And guess what? We know a lot. Below you can find out what we as a group have said. Not to brag, but it’s pretty good stuff.

Girls Need to Know This About Engineering

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As members of the WEMADEIT Youth Think Tank we asked and were asked, A LOT of questions. After some reflection, we thought you could stand to hear what we think. Here it is:

Our whole lives we’ve been educated about changing the world, this job gives us so many opportunities to make a difference. There is no reason why we can’t do it, engineering is for everyone. We could do great things.

That they can have a massive impact on the world, that anyone can do engineering and physics, it doesn’t take any special talents, you don’t have to be a math genius, all you need is a special interest in making the world a better, more advanced place while challenging yourself (this is what I would want to hear, not necessarily what all girls would care about)

I think girls need to know the options that even looking into engineering can give you. I would tell them about the opportunities they could have if they chose to go into engineering and I would try to give them an engineering role model.

Messages girls my age need to hear is that in this modern day society they are capable of anything they set their mind to. They should not be discouraged because they are females, they should pursue their dreams.

There is so much more to engineering than building bridges! Engineering IS a bridge.

There is so much more to engineering than building a car. Engineers are everywhere in society and most of them are male! Women need to get out there and start working things out to showcasing the brains and beauty we have within our selves.

That engineering is also about creativity and design (not just lots and lots of math and science which seems to perturb and scare some people)

Girls my age need to know that anything is possible. There is no job out there that should be gender dominated. If engineering is their passion then they should follow it. Nothing should restrict anyone from their dreams. They need to be educated on the wide variety of options and everything engineering could provide them with.

If you are willing to put in the work than anything is possible.

Girls Who Are Good at Science and Math Are..

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“This says that they are not afraid of the stereotypes that could be used against them, and it says that they are independent and strive for what they want.”

“Any person who is good at science or math must have the brain power to comprehend the nonsensical craziness that are math and science.”

“Other than having self-confidence, I think girls who are good at science and math are generally quite intelligent and highly open-minded, a quality that enables them to see beyond shades of black and white, and break away from the “norm” and accept themselves for who they are.”

“Intelligent, driven, focused, and strong work ethic. These qualities show how strong and powerful women are.”

“One word: ME”

“Okay, girls who are good at math and science are the best. They’re so much fun to talk to, and although I’m not amazing at science and math I think very similarly to people that are, in fact two of my favourite girls in the whole entire world are amazing at math and science. I’ve seen an unfortunate case where my older friends from another school is phenomenal at science and math (getting high 90’s in all those types of classes) but is being pushed toward literature because it is a more female appropriate career instead of engineering or medicine which she would much prefer and excel at.”

“I would say a girl who is good at math or science is quite nerdy or geeky from my own stereotypical views and wouldn’t see them as the typical “cool” girls and it shows they are smart and intelligent and people I should avoid looking stupid in front of. I’d say these types of girls are good at paying attention and are “good” girls. ”

“Intelligent, responsible, ambitious, inquisitive, analytical, sensible, and intuitive. To me a girl who excels in math and science is one who is ambitious and cares for their education and place in life.”

The Problem With Highschool

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“The lack of experiential learning, everything you teach us is in theory and intangible therefore it makes life seem like this rigid societal machine instead of the organic beauty it really is. School dazes us it doesn’t WAKE US UP to the power we have. ”

“I don’t like that they make us make decisions at such a young age that will determine/direct our future. The choices and grades you receive when you are 15 determine where you will be when you’re 18 which determines what job you will be able to get when you are 23 which determines your way of life when you’re 30.”

“Everyone has a learning style that fits them better and schools need to attend to that more.”

“They rely more on memorization than actual knowledge.”

“The huge amount of homework/assignments/tests students received from multiple teachers, all due within a close time period. This results in students only having 6-7 (and sometimes even less) hours of sleep each night (so much for teenagers having to have 8-9 hours of sleep to grow properly!)”

“For non-semestered school, it’s so hard for students to complete 6 -8 exams in 10 days in the middle of June. I had 2 days during exam week where I had 2 exams in one day. Many people do not sleep, and walk around with koala eyes.”

We’re Looking Forward to University

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“I am looking forward to the spirit of all the students. The passion and energy of everyone at the university motivates me to be happy and enjoy my time while learning there.”

“What appeals to me most about university life is being able to join a large community that extends deep into the roots of career, entertainment and interaction.”

“I like how diverse universities are. You’re able to meet so much new different people and learn about their beliefs and culture.”

“The university I’m going to has a lot of bike trails from the campus into the town where there is a weekly farmers market I plan to make us of! ”

“I can’t wait for that away-from-home experience, where you get to live on campus by yourself and have fun with your friends.”

“I think it would be very cool to live with a room mate. I think it would be a different kind of experience, and it would be pretty cool to move out of the house. I would have to be responsible for my own food and laundry, and I think it would be a good way to appreciate all that my Mom does for me!”

“The lecture halls are intriguing… may be weird but i find it way better than a school class room. It’s different! ”

“I think that it’ll be great to have classes full of people who actually want to be there, and who are all academic and interested in the same careers as me!”

“What appeals to me most about the university life is being in a dorm with my friends. I think it would be really nice to live with your friends and study with them rather than studying from your bedroom at home alone.”

If I was Free from Gender Stereotypes…

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“I’d consider going into engineering. Both my brothers are engineering students but they only have 1 or 2 girls in their class.”

“I’d voice my thoughts and participate in discussion.”

“I’d be able to fix things and be more capable to make simple repairs.”

“I would be open about my interest in hunting, fighting, and other ‘manly things.’”

“If I was freer from gender stereotypes, I would not be afraid of intimidating other women, or being perceived as a threat.”

“I’d be more athletic, dress down, and… play a lot more video games.”

“I’d run around and jump in to play a sport but it’s frowned upon because of my gender.”

“I’d probably be more confident… and have more freedom in my life.”

– The WEMADEIT Youth Think Tank

What Do Engineers Do?

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As members of the WEMADEIT Youth Think Tank we asked and were asked, A LOT of questions. After some reflection, we thought you could stand to hear what we think. Here it is:

Engineers apply their understanding, their knowledge and the principles of science to make products or equipment that can be used.

Engineers pretty much build the future. They give all the math and science insight into projects. They tell developers why or why not their vision will work.

Engineers create and build things. They find out what ways to develop new things using critical thinking, along with creativity.

Engineers – solve world problems – use a hands-on approach – make things more efficient – ensure structures/inventions/chemicals are safe – help build and create new things – turn theoretical ideas into real-world applications – help make life easier

ENGINEERS PRETTY MUCH BUILD THE FUTURE

I think engineers use their creativity to design objects or systems that are daily needs to humans. It can be a bridge, a sewage system, or a cell phone. They help run our economy, and without engineers, we would not be able to experience most things we take for granted.

They also see the world in a new perspective, and want to change it through their experimentation, and their ‘thinking outside-of-the-box’ mind set.

Engineers are people who work to design, develop and create new technologies that help make our everyday lives easier. Anything from bridges to cars and planes to computers and machinery, even kitchen appliances! There are tonnes of real world applications for engineering because it is a vital part of almost everything we do.

Engineers are the brains behind the glory. And by that i mean when we hear there’s a new road being built or they plan on planting more trees in a certain area, behind the wonderful changes happening in the world , I think that engineers are behind it.

ARE WE FORGETTING SOMETHING? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS